Reptile & Amphibian Forums

This is really off topic but I figured that since the reptile hobby deals with sales, intergrity, and customer service maybe its ok to post this here.

A couple days ago I purchased a lawn mower off another popular LIST. The guy called and asked me to meet 20 minutes from my house. The ad read:

push lawn mower murray 20' 3.5 horsepower excellent condition call (his number)

When I met up with this guy he seemed polite etc. He told me he owned a lawn cutting service. I asked him to start the mower and white smoke came out of the exhaust. I figured that was weird but he said its in excellent condition.

This morning I started the mower and again while smoke. I left is run and the mower seemed to idle fast. I was able to cut one line of grass and it died.

I've called the guy a couple times and no answer so I emailed him too. Still no answer.

I found his address, home phone etc online.

Am I making a big deal out of this or should I chalk this up to lesson learned. It really bothers me that I got took so easily. I only paid $35 for it. Is it worth me going to his house to get my money back?

I'd never do something like this to someone.

Best,
Frank

Wow...
You're right.
That REALLY was off topic.

Well I warned you.

Personally, I wouldn't waste my time over $35. Life is way too short for that. Chances are he won't be giving you your money back and that is just going to frustrate you more. Besides, Karma is a [bleep] and he will get his due, eventually. Good luck!
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Ryan Sherman
Scottsdale, Arizona

LOL.

Yeah...you will not likely get the 35 clams back.
Just cut you losses....besides pretty soon it's gonna be cool enough that you won't need to mow.
That white puff of smoke would likely mean it's burning oil.
I bet it fouled the plug.

I had a rototiller that does the white smoke thing.

I sold it to some sucker for $35.00!!!

Just kiddin dude...I'd never do that.
...was kind of a funny line though.
Sorry about your bad luck.

Ah, your funny. Thanks for the laugh. I needed that. Sure, it's not the $35 that bothers me it's getting ripped by this guy. Some people just have no conscience.

Anyway, I bought a new mower @ home depot.

Thanks for tolerating my rant. Free therapy..awesome.

Frank

Oh yeah....

So since we are still off topic here.

Tell me Frank, What kinda Mower did you end up getting for HD.

I meant to ask you in the post below...but I had already hit the submit tab.

Everyone needs a little therapy. LOL.
See ya,

Harlin

did you get my email?
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Happy Herping,
Jody Barnes
Royal Kreationz

1.0 albino
3.4 het albino
1.0 het caramel
0.2 poss het caramel
1.0 het pied
0.1 poss het. pied
0.4 normals (beautiful pastel sibs)

Nobody likes getting ripped off...for any amount.
It's the principal of it.
Take care dude.

Hey Jody,
Yep. I got your email.
Sorry I hadn't replied back yet....I was cleaning rodents today.
And feedin snakes....what fun!

I will shoot you an email sometime.
Or you can call me tomorrow night.
I should be around.

Later.
Harlin

Really, I don't really think much of this guy. (I wonder what the lawns he takes care of look like?)

But... for $35? I suppose it's a classic case of "you get what you pay for".

Take it to a small engine mechanic see what it would cost to fix. It might be just a quick simple fix that won't cost you much... maybe he wasn't mechanically inclined enough to fix it himself. Maybe he stole it from his neighbor?

Is it worth driving another 40 minutes round trip to getting into an argument with someone who isn't that intelligent to begin with?

If nothing else... sell it for parts... you might even make a small profit.

Great point. My wife said the same thing. With my luck I'd get shot over $35.

FH

35 isn't much

guy probably lied ......yes.....ok

check the oil and gas and if it has a little pump thingy for the gas..pump it alot more....the guy that cut my grass a few times this year pumped mine like 2 times and it smoked...I said stop...I pumped it my normal 12 or whatever times and it ran fine.......it never smoked for me...

I bought a push 21 inch mower with a 6 1/2 HP moter.....so it can handle anything......wet and all......wheel's with bearings is why I got it....I usually get larger rear wheels and self propelled.......but with the wheels with bearings I had to get that one.and like the guy said....for a good mower it is way over powered....

and I never bought a used mower......probably never will...I paid like just under 300?..usually I pay 350 or so.......

you can get little 3 1/2 hp new this time of year and maybe all year for like 100$.......

.......check it....fix it.....then take it and cut the guys flowers off next spring after his wife pays 200$ for them at the local greenhouse?....(make sure they are at work).LOL....
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sell them all............
.

I've never bought a used lawn mower either. I just tried to save a few bucks...lesson learned.

Actually I picked up a 5 hp at Home Depot for $139.

It's just like in the reptile hobby..know what your buying and who you are buying it from. I should of know better. Being cheap isn't worth it.

Thanks for the response.

FH

White smoke= starving for fuel...as in no fuel in tank, dirty carb, clogged fuel lines.

Black smoke= too much fuel as in dirty air filter, worn out main jet or stuck choke.

Blue smoke= burning oil...bad rings, bad valve seals etc.

there are other variables as well, if it is old enough to have points, they could be dirty, spark plug might need to be gapped and cleaned...and one last thing...NEVER BUY A LAWNMOWER FROM A LAWN SERVICE GUY....they are TOTALLY WORN OUT. You think he would get rid of a tool of the trade if it was in good shape???

sounds like could fix it for you too......LOL..

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sell them all............
.

Sometimes the cheap way out isn't always the best way out. But I don't really think you got ripped off, You did buy a USED mower and Used mowers need work. You just never know when it will break down. I am in the landscaping business and have done the same thing. I purchased a Dixie Copper Z-turn 52in cut from someone that said it ran fine and didn't burn any oil and it did for about 1 month and then the motor just stopped and that was to the tune of 2400.00. But it was a as is sale so I was out 2400.00. For the 35.00 you spent on the mower you can easly sell the mower for that because someone will probably want to try and fix it. Some people just like working on the motors plus like someone said it might just be something simple. I purchased a 3 wheeler this past summer for 50.00, It needed tires and it didn't run and the guy I bought it from said he didn't know what was wrong with it, So I took it home and cleaned the carb and put it back together and it runs just fine now. just me 2 cents

Thanks David

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www.Snakebstr.com -- Remember the Name it's in the Game!!! the Ball game that is

www.Snakebstr.com

WRONG !!!
WRONG... The only time I was WRONG is when I thought I was WRONG but I was really RIGHT.....LOL...LOL...LOL